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So.....how the hell do we get out of this mess? Rica asked an hour after Xander left us. For the last hour, I couldn't help but stare at the chair where he sat, where he hurt us. Ulrica snapped me out of my haze. I look at the room before us, over twenty of our pack's finest warriors filled the room, waiting for me to come out fighting. But I don't want to fight anymore; I don't have the strength. I could feel my safe room flicker in power. I'm running out of time. Sooner or later I would have to drop my barrier and face the rejection ceremony. I clenched my fist together.
"We don't; we let it ride," I said to Rica my voice hollow. I couldn't think of anything I couldn't feel. It's oddly terrifying, being this empty. Gingerly I stood up and went to my knees.
On my count, we release the barrier and have the soul return to me. I said to Rica, I felt her agreement, but I also feel the pain she's trying to hide.
I'm okay, Ana. Rica said, trying to put on a brave face
No you're not...and that's fine...don't lie to make me feel better. I said feeling the words crush my soul. But I needed to be strong for both of us. I shake my head to wake up.
One...two...three... Now! I yell in my head and raise my hands in surrender. I felt the soul rush back into me warming my chilled bones. The warriors in the room jumped back when I suddenly appeared to them on my knees. In a split second, they all jumped at me. Three went behind my back, and it took everything within me not to protect myself. I felt a hard kick to my back that made me tumble face down on the tile floor. Two pairs of hands grabbed at me and held my shoulders down. I felt the bony knee pressed into the middle of my back forcing me further into the ground. I didn't fight. They grabbed my arms roughly and handcuffed my hands together with silver cuffs. I didn't feel the scalding heat of the silver...I didn't feel anything. But I could smell the burnt flesh in the air, I felt my stomach rumble, and it made me sick to my stomach that the smell of my skin appealed to me right now. I guess when you have been starved for a week there is no limit. A warrior grabbed me by the hair and yanked me to my feet. Where the Alpha greeted me with his lovely red face and signature glare, he came close and put his mouth close to my ear.
"If you weren't already promised to the king I would kill you here and now, little wolf." He hissed, and my brain told me just to bow my head and ignore him. My body, however, jerked my head to the side and slammed it against the Alpha. I stared wide-eyed as he crumpled to the ground like a bag of sand.
Ana! Rica gasped, shocked beyond words
Shit...I didn't think that through, did I? I asked also shocked. It's a reflex! Honest!
No, you did not. But I'm proud of you kid! Rica thought amused before I felt the silver knife pressed up against my throat.
Worth it! I thought and smiled big enough to show my teeth.
"Maybe you didn't hear the big bad alpha, but if you kill me, you are going to have to answer to the king." I jeered.
I think you're punch drunk and in shock Ana. Rica said the concern is starting to take over. I gave a wicked smirk, startling the wolves around me. The warrior growled but moved his knife a few inches away from my skin.
"What a good boy!" I mock. The wolf growled at me louder. And then I felt it, the searing pain surrounding my throat it felt like fire and acid were being shoved down my throat. I fell to my knees gasping for air and coughing up blood at the same time. The collar they thrust on me began to blister my skin and throat. Every ragged breath became harder and harder. I roared in anger and pain.
ANA! Rica roared causing my head to start to pound.
LET ME HELP. She pleaded, I pushed her forward and felt my wolf start to take over.
Rica? What's happening? I asked confused as we fell to the ground twitching and feeling every bone in my body break and form into the wolf. Usually, I'm able to go from human to wolf in a matter of seconds with no pain. But this time it dragged on. The forced change continued to be long and painful; my body and mind had been through too much that the wolf needed to heal itself. It felt like hours before I finally could breathe normally. Lying on our side proved to be even more agonizing when we tried to get up. Clumsily we rose to my feet and shook off the last effects of the change. Rica began moving us towards the farthest corner of the room where there were no warriors practically clinging to the wall. We stopped when our back hit the wall and growled when someone dared to move a finger. Each of them looked close to either fainting or wetting their pants. One guy did both. I forgot that no one besides the Alpha and the Beta has ever seen my wolf. The Alpha, who woke up in the middle of my change, began to try to get my wolf's attention. He could feel that Rica had taken control to protect us, and now she's pissed. I caught a reflection of us and saw our eyes were blood red...Shit.
"Anala," The Alpha spoke trying to get our attention, "Look at me." He commanded in his Alpha voice. Ulrica growled at him, and he raised his hands, showing he was unarmed. That may be true, but we both know what he can do with his bare hands.
"Anala?" He repeated gently. This time we both growled furiously...this is the man who wanted Xander to mate with another wolf. Ulrica took a step forward, her body low waiting to attack, every hair on our body stood at attention.
He will die! Ulrica growled to me. He took our mate from us!
No...I whispered. Ulrica, no. Xander knew we were his mate two years ago. Xander had every opportunity to claim us...he didn't. Look at the people in this room Rica, look at how scared they are...of us. I whimpered, and as if noticing the others in the room Rica looked at each of their faces.
They all have a mate to go to Ana! We do not! How is that fair!? She began growling again. I could see her...if I look closely in my head I can see her filled with so much rage. She wants what they all have, and if she couldn't have it, she wanted revenge, needed it. I could taste their blood on our tounges sweet and creamy. Saw the body parts scattered everywhere and the souls we would feast on, it's enticing.
We need this Anala; we need revenge. She growled, I shook my head and placed a hand on her head and showed her what we truly needed.
I showed her the lake where our whole life fell apart. But instead of blood tainting the scene I pictured us on top of the hill that leads to our meadow, showed us walking through the grass and the two of us lying down on the grass facing the endless blue sky. Showed her the clouds that would form into the pictures of a rabbit or a squirrel, everything she loved to chase. I gave her the feeling of the spring breeze on our skin. Gave her the smell of the grass and the wildflowers that grew by the lake. Made her feel the cold and crisp water and showed her our paws running free. No threat of danger, no whips, no chains, or knives. Just the two of us. I lifted my hand from her head, and we stared at each other. Her eyes no longer the terrifying blood red, but instead the lush green orbs I have always loved.
That's what we need, I whispered to her,
We need our peace.
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The Queen of the Prey
Werewolf"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked Xander, my voice void of any emotions. I was in my warrior stance in front of the whole pack. Back straight, hands folded in front of me and feet shoulder-width apart. I know I looked composed because that...